The following activities and questions are designed to help students use their observational skills to work their way through the poem and develop their thinking skills so that they can confidently understand its meaning, using what they have observed as evidence for their interpretations their. Read more about the framework on which these activities are based.

1. Heating: Look carefully at the drawing HG Wells as a wizard holding a crystal ball with himself inside by Miguel Covarrubias. What stands out to you in this picture? Why? Look again. What else do you see? What questions do you have?

2. Before reading the poem: Watch this video of the song “Crystal ball” by Grimes. What words or phrases in the song stand out? Why?

3. Reading the poem: Read the poem silently “The Crystal Gazer” by Sara Teasdale. What do you notice about the poem? Write down any words or phrases that stand out to you or any questions you may have.

4. Listening to the poem: Get two volunteers and listen as the poem is read aloud twice. Write down any additional words and phrases that stand out to you. You can listen to a reading of the poem.

5. Small group discussions: Share what you noticed about the poem with a small group of students. Based on the details you just shared with your small group and the resources from earlier in the lesson, how does the title “The Crystal Gazer” inform your reading of the poem? Do you believe in any superstitions? Why or why not?

6. Whole class discussion: Which is the strongest? images in poetry? Why? How does this poem explore the self? How could you compare the two Lyrics? What could mean when loudspeaker says, “I will take my scattered selves and make them one”?

7. Extension for grades 7-8: Imagine that this poem is a serial poem. What might the following poem say? Write your own answer and share it with the class.

8. Extension for grades 9-12: Read the essay “The poetry of superstition and conjecture” by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. What does this essay make you think about the poem you read earlier? Choose to answer this essay question: “What happens when you take a superstition and try to connect it to a line or two of an actual belief you have or an actual memory of yours?” or one of the exhortations Nezhukumatathil gives. If you feel inspired, share your answer with the class.